(A/N)1: Hehe, Hey there... Yeah, I know. 'This isn't Friday!' And I am so sorry! Things happen, y'know! But I brought you the chapter early in the morning instead.
(A/N)2: Went to Megacon last week, and it was amazing. I hung out with a few of the Hetalia cosplayers and had a blast. And I got to see Todd Haberkorn. ('s voice actor). Everything was simply...amazing.
(A/N)3: Thank you, thank you, and THANK YOU for all the alerts and favorites. I was pretty blown away by all the sudden alerts. Thanks to all who are reading this story! I hope to continue to please you all!
Ch.1
"Thank you for buying at my bookstore. Have a good day, eh?"
He waved goodbye to the young woman, who waved back on the way out, a friendly smile on her face. "Thanks!" she called out in response, a small skip to her step. Matthew nodded and watched the door close, followed by the usual cheery chime of the bell attached to the top of the door. He walked up to the door to watch the man walk away before switching the 'OPEN' sign to 'CLOSED' and locking the door. It was another successful day of business, and Matthew was glad to have finished the day. It was a repeated daily process he had grown accustomed to, and had even learned to love. It was always so nice, and quiet, and perfect. Each day was another day in paradise, at least in his opinion.
Matthew began to pick up some of the scattered books on the counter and shelves and began to organize them, making sure to put each book in the right place. As he did so, he began to add up the day's profits and decide how to save and use the money. He became so engrossed in his thoughts he hardly noticed the presence of someone behind him until it was too late.
"Having fun organizing those books there?"
He jumped, sending all of the books he held flying around the room. He let out a small yelp and fell onto the shelf behind him, his glasses falling down as well. He dropped to the ground, grabbing his glasses and trembling."Maple!" he gasped out, clutching his chest as he tried to get his breath back.
"Oh, sorry dude. Didn't mean to startle ya there."
When he put on his glasses, he looked up from his initial scare to see a tall individual bending above him with a worried expression. The man was tall, he noted, and not to be messed with if this was a dangerous situation. Matthew took a deep breath and stood up, trying to stop his involuntary shaking. "I-It's fine… I just didn't hear you come in. What do you need sir?" he asked, not trying to think about how the man walked in if the door was locked.
The man's blue eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, but he simply shrugged. "Nothing really. Just passing by and decided to check this store out." He held out a large hand and Matthew took it, being helped up. After Matthew was up, the stranger lost his interest in him and began to walk around the store, looking through the books. Matthew followed him, eyeing the stranger nervously. "I see, Mister…" Matthew wanted to know the stranger's name, in case this was a robbery, vandalism, or something like what he sometimes saw on TV or read in books.
"Jones. Alfred F. Jones." Alfred stopped walking and turned around, doing a quick pose. "But you can call me Al, if ya want." He added, running a few fingers through his dirty blonde hair to fix it. Matthew nodded. "Okay then, 'Al', is there a book you're looking for?" he asked. Alfred shrugged, going back to looking through the books. "Not really. Just looking around. I'll tell ya if I need anything, kay Mattie?" Matthew froze, looking at Alfred. "H-how do you know my name?" Matthew stuttered out. Alfred froze for a second, but quickly went back to normal. "It's on your nametag, isn't it?" he asked nonchalantly, leaning forward near a particular bookshelf. Matthew suddenly felt quite embarrassed and lowered his head. "Oh." he answered unsurely. Alfred shrugged again, obviously not really noticing Matthew's surprise. "You look like a Mattie too. Even if I didn't know your name. At least, I think you do." He reasoned, pulling out a book, and flipping through its pages. As he gave the book to Matthew, a small smile grew on his face. "It's just one of my many talents." Alfred bragged, the small smile becoming a giant.
A small beep came from the Alfred's pocket, and his grin faded. He reached out and pulled out a cell phone and began to read something it seemed. "Is it really that late already? Man, I'm gonna be late for the meeting." He put his phone back in his pocket and sighed. "Just when I was having fun… I gotta go then. See you 'round town, kay?" he waved to the Canadian. Matthew nodded and waved back nervously. "O-okay, then."
As the stranger walked out the door, Matthew remembered the book Alfred had left in his hurry.
"Wait! Don't you want this book?" he called out, waving the book in his hand.
"I've already read it before. I'll get it later. Hold it for me 'till I get back, 'kay?" he called back, without so much as turning around. Matthew nodded, watching as the stranger disappeared down the street. He looked at the book's simple dark blue cover with a title engraved in gold;
"The Ultimate Guide to the World of Spies."
Matthew raised an eyebrow. He was positive he didn't have a book like this in his bookstore… how did it get there? Or maybe he simply forgot he had it in stock… it could happen, couldn't it? He fixed his shirt, and went to fix his nametag, only to notice he didn't have it on. Matthew froze, touching the place where he usually wore it. If he didn't have it on today, then how did Alfred know his name?
"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!"Alfred grumbled under his breath, growling in frustration. He had almost been figured out! He really needed to be more smooth…he was an agent for God's sake! His phone began to ring, and he gave out a sigh of frustration, pulling out his phone from his pocket.
"Y'ello?" he hummed, trying to act as cheery as possible.
"Alfred F. Jones." A British accent called his name, stern and angry.
"Oh shit…" Alfred grumbled, hitting his forehead with his palm. He cleared his throat and smiled, even though he knew the person on the other side could not see his smile. "Hey, Artie! 'Sup?"
"'Sup?' I believe you know exactly what is up! You're late for the meeting!" he hissed on the other side of the phone. Alfred rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling nervously. "Heh, sorry dude… you know how it is… I had important, uh, 'stuff' to do." He adlibbed quickly.
He heard the noise that sounded similar to a slap. He could imagine Arthur slapping his forehead in frustration. "Don't tell me…" the British man growled in frustration. Alfred threw one of his hands up, shrugging.
"Yeah, I went there again today! Is there anything wrong with wanting to visit my br-"
"We don't even know whether he is or not! What you did was dangerous to both you and him!" the British man interrupted, obviously not wanting to argue about it anymore. "I'm telling you not to go to that book store ever again!"
"But-"
"That's an order Alfred. Do I make myself clear?"
Alfred rolled his eyes and gritted his teeth. This wasn't fair! But then again, an idea popped in his head, and he couldn't help but smirk.
"Loud and clear. I promise on my status in the IAO not to go to that book store ever again." He answered truthfully. He quickly added a sigh, as to not allow Arthur to know he was plotting something.
He heard an annoyed sigh escape the British man in return. "Look, Alfred…" he began. "…I know that you may be mad at me now, but you'll thank me later." Arthur advised uncomfortably.
Alfred nodded, a small smile spreading across his face. He chuckled softly, starting to walk to the meeting hall. "You're getting soft, Arthur." He teased the older man.
A fit of coughs made Alfred laugh harder as he crossed the street. "Don't get cheeky now, Alfred." He warned. Alfred nodded, smirking. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm just teasing old man." He replied. As he reached the entrance, he pushed revolving door and walked into the large hall.
"Now, if you don't mind, could you stop taking your merry time and get to the meeting? I can only cover for you for so long, you git." Arthur warned him. Alfred nodded and walked through a few hallways before stopping at a particularly odd painting. He looked both ways across the hallway before tilting the painting and pressing his thumb against an identification scanner behind the frame. "Cool your jets Artie. I'm almost there. Can't ya just wait a few more seconds? I've just about arrived." As he finished talking, a small portion of the wall opened and revealed a long, metallic hallway. He stepped in and began to walk down the corridor, taking quick and hurried steps. "Fine, fine. I'll see you soon then?" Arthur clarified. Alfred nodded, before stopping at another door. "Why not ask me at the meeting?" he joked, hanging up the phone and pushing the door open.
"The hero has arrived!" he announced loudly.
Arthur sat at the end of the table, surrounded by various people. He was sitting down impatiently, still holding the phone in one hand, his other using a pen to tap the table.
"Took you long enough, you Agent Jones. Now if you don't mind, would you please sit down so that we may start this bloody meeting?"